Милий друг
First Attempts
Hepattedhiscompanion’sarmandsaidtohim:"Gotomywife;shewillhelpyoubetterthanIcan.Ihavetrainedherforthatwork.IhavenottimethismorningorIwoulddoitwillingly."
ButDuroyhesitated:"AtthishourIcannotinquireforher."
"Oh,yes,youcan;shehasrisen.Youwillfindherinmystudy."
"Iwillgo,butIshalltellheryousentme!"
Forestierwalkedaway,andDuroyslowlyascendedthestairs,wonderingwhatheshouldsayandwhatkindofareceptionhewouldreceive.
Theservantwhoopenedthedoorsaid:"Monsieurhasgoneout."
Duroyreplied:"AskMme.Forestierifshewillseeme,andtellherthatM.Forestier,whomImetonthestreet,sentme."
ThelackeysoonreturnedandusheredDuroyintoMadame’spresence.Shewasseatedatatableandextendedherhandtohim.
"Sosoon?"saidshe.Itwasnotareproach,butasimplequestion.
Hestammered:"Ididnotwanttocomeup,Madame,butyourhusband,whomImetbelow,insisted—Idarescarcelytellyoumyerrand—Iworkedlatelastnightandearlythismorning,towritethearticleonAlgeriawhichM.Walterwants—andIdidnotsucceed—Idestroyedallmyattempts—Iamnotaccustomedtothework—andIcametoaskForestiertoassistme—hisonce."
Sheinterruptedwithalaugh:"Andhesentyoutome?"
"Yes,Madame.
